Dispensational Distortions - The Rapture

Uh oh!

There are many sacred cows that the modern evangelical world will allow to be skewered without too much of a fight; the sanctity of life, salvation by grace alone, the exclusivity of the gospel, the deity of Christ, the inerrancy of Scripture, the creative act of God. But mess with the rapture and you’re an instant target! You have committed the ultimate blasphemy. You have erred in such a way that your salvation is at stake!

Then not only disagree about the timing of the rapture - pre-, mid-, or post-tribulation, but actually argue that there is no such thing in relation to any tribulation and you’ve gone too far. Surely you must not read the Bible!

Or at least not believe the Bible.

“One objection to the pre-Tribulation rapture is that no one passage of Scripture teaches the two aspects of His Second Coming separated by the Tribulation. This is true. But then, no one passage teaches a post-Tribulation or mid-Tribulation rapture, either.” – Tim LaHaye

This maybe the one and only time you will see me ever agree with Tim LaHaye when it comes to the issue of eschatology. Mr. LaHaye is correct! There is no passage that teaches a pre-, mid- or post-tribulation rapture. There is no verse that teaches a “rapture” as defined by modern evangelicals in any way. There is no warrant to separate the second Coming and the Resurrection. In a later post we will discuss a concept called the “Unity of the Eschatological Complex” that will show the unity of events, but for our discussion today the issue is the modern pre-tribulation theory.

WHY A RAPTURE?
So, despite the admission by leading Dispensational theologians that no one verse can make the case for a pre-tribulation rapture the concept is so ingrained and accepted in our evangelical churches that to question it is to question the validity of the Scripture that doesn’t even support it… huh?

So, where did it come from and why MUST it exist in the Dispensational system?

The rapture is a concept of necessity based on the previously discussed artificial separation of Israel and the Church. Basically and simply, Dispensationalism teaches that because certain prophesies given to Israel cannot find their fulfillment in the Church, the Church must be “gotten rid of” in order for God to complete and fulfill those promises. (For further study you can read the previous posts on the Israel/Church distinction).

This “getting rid of” the Church necessitates a Rapture in which the Church is removed from the earth for 7 years in order to have the final seven years of Daniels 70 week prophecy fulfilled. (You can read the Gap Theory in an earlier post as well). Since I discussed in details the problems with the Gap Theory previously I will let you track down that post and get yourself caught up. A simple critique of the Dispensational understanding of the 70 Week prophecy should suffice, but seemingly it has not helped, so in upcoming posts there will be a exposition of that popular passage. But for our discussion today just note that since there is no Gap in the 70 weeks there should be no reason for the necessity of a Rapture.

But since the concept still reigns suprenme some fiurther discussion is warranted. So, despite the fact there is no Scriptural evidence for the Pre-Trib Rapture and no need for it since there is no gap in Daniel’s 70 Weeks, the concept is simply assumed and injected into passages where there is no warrant for doing so.

Before looking at the particular passages in question, it is important here to stop and take note that the rapture is a rather new concept. The idea of a pre-trib, church exclusive “coming of Christ” is foreign to Church history in til the early to mid 1800’s. When it comes to theological history the rapture is a newbie by any standard. The pre-Nicene and ante-Nicene fathers were unaware of Scripture’s support for it. The Medieval Church was also unaware as were the Reformers, Puritans, Quakers, Roman Catholics, Greek Orthodox, Anglicans, Reformed Baptist (Spurgeon), Early Revivalist and just about any group until the late 1800’s!

1 Thess 4:13 Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. 14We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18Therefore encourage each other with these words.

The Thessalonian passage quoted above is the primary verse used to promote the concept of a Rapture. But where is the Beast? Where is a 7 year tribulation? This is the resurrection! ALL Biblical Christians believe and hold to a resurrection of God’s people. This is the great hope, the promise and inheritance of being a child of God. But there is no warrant for making this pre-tribulational, Church exclusive or part one of two comings.

There is one Second Coming!

There is no need to force something into this passage or any other that is not first previously proved. The rapture is an assumed concept forced into Scriptures that are not making the case. Especially since Paul’s letter is a series of answers to questions that we are not made aware of. One can glean from the passage that many in Thessalonica were concerned about those in their family that had died and whether they would take part in the resurrection/coming of Christ. It is quite a leap to then make a passage about the Second Coming and general resurrection to be one about some secret rapture before a horrific 7 year tribulation.Other similar passages would suffer the same fate of lack of quality exegesis and loaded with eisegesis.

Ultimately the concept of a pre-trib rapture is a symptom of the problem, not the problem itself. It is a baseless concept built on a poor hermeneutic and faulty system that separates God’s Word and ultimately God’s people. More discussion of the rapture and how it ties in to the overall eschatological scheme will follow later, but for now it was important to understand the lack of Biblical support and the lack of any need for such an event.

Dispensational Distortions - The Second Humiliation of Christ Part 2

In the previous post we discussed a concept called the Second Humiliation of Christ. The concept was introduced to me by Dr. Greg Bahnsen and I am indebted to him for the basic background description of the issues involved.

The last post looked at the first two primary problems found in the Dispensational Timeline of events, especially those surrounding the the Millennium. last time we discussed “where is Jesus during the Millennium” and “the Binding of Satan.”

We saw that the binding of Satan was for a specific purpose - restraining his ability to deceive the nation (Rev 20) - and that this binding took place during the first coming of Jesus (Matthew 12) and found it’s expression in the coming of the Kingdom of God and demonstrated by the casting out of demons.

We then discovered that the description of the “placement” of Christ in Revelation 20 is actually in Heaven and not on earth. The description the Apostle John uses to describe his surrounding in chapter 20 are identical to those found in chapters 4 and 6 of Revelation.

We now turn our attention to the two most important and detailed portions of the passage and where it leads to the Dispensational model of the Second Humiliation of Christ.

SATAN’S ATTACK

After Satan is loosed from his chains and he is once again given the ability to deceive the nations revelation gives us a picture of raising up an army to attack the camp of the Saints and the beloved city. This is seen by Dispensationalist as a literal war like action on behalf of Satan and his army is filled with tanks, bazookas, nuclear armaments and jet fighters.

Is that the picture we should maintain and is the literal city of Jerusalem the city in question?

First, let’s take a look at the end result of the Dispensational model as it relates to the work of Christ and His kingdom. You have the perfected, glorified and eternal Jesus along side His perfected, resurrected, glorified and eternal saints residing in His Holy City. Despite His righteous and perfect reign, all it takes is a short respite following the loosening of Satan for Satan to raise up an army against the Christ. Despite a perfect and honorable reign the masses are easily swayed and revolt against their Lord. He is powerless to do anything about it!

He is next seen cowering behind the city walls with His saints with Him. Afraid, outnumbered (?), in peril and soon to be overrun before the father finally send fire down from Heaven to destroy Satan and his army. So, there is Jesus, God incarnate, the Lord over the universe…needing rescue from the Father to escape His own incompetence and inability! What a pitiful picture created by the Dispensational timeline. As if He would be so poor a ruler, so weak a leader, so useless a defender of His people!

The first question to ask, though, is exactly what threat does Satan’s physical army have against the glorified, immortal and eternal Jesus and His saints? What are they going to do to them? Tickle them to death? You can’t kill those who have been perfected, glorified and immortal! I always chuckle when I consider this fact. What a joke!

The second question to ask, though, is the above picture of the Dispensational timeline the Biblical explanation?

First off, we saw that Jesus is not present on earth during this time period as He is seen in heaven with the thrones and the martyrs.

Second, the terms “Camp of the Saints” and “Beloved City” mean something completely different than the City of Jerusalem. In fact, when taken in context with the rest of revelation, Jerusalem is by no means “beloved” at all. It is described as Babylon, Egypt and Sodom. It is described as the place that kills the prophets and murdered the Lord of Glory (Rev 11:8, 16:19, 17:5). This would be the only place in all of scripture where the term “beloved city” would be used to describe Jerusalem. The term “Great City” used to describe Jerusalem in some places also is the term used to describe Babylon.

The camp of the saints follows suit as well. In no other place is the exact term used. The closest comparison would be the Old testament description of the wandering Israelites. Most likely it is a description of those readying themselves for battle. But is this battle a literal one with literal fire coming from Heaven? As we see, the terms used to describe those being attacked are not literal terms and cannot be found elsewhere in Scripture. But in the next Chapter we see a picture of a city that is His Church. This would reckon well the concept of “beloved.” This term, used in a way of endearment directed to His elect, would seem to fit the best.

So here now we have Satan and his army attacking the Church in one last final gasp at the end of all the ages. This attack is stopped by this fire that descends from heaven and utterly destroys the work of Satan and immediately precedes His final judgment as well as the judgment of the world.

Rev 20:9b but fire came down from heaven and consumed them, 10and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. 11Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them.

Note here again that this fire immediately precedes judgment. This fire also consumes the devil and his owrks and throws him into the lake of fire for all eternity. Finally, this consuming fire appears at the end of the Millennium. So, with that in mind, let’s look at what other portions of Scripture state about the timing of these events.

WHAT IMMEDIATELY PRECEDES JUDGMENT

Matt 25:31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats

2 Thess 1:7b when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels 8 in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction

2 Tim 4: 1 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom:

1 Cor 4:5 Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.

As the handful of passages above clearly show, Jesus’ return is immediately followed by judgment. There is no room to place a gap of 7… 1,000 … 1,007 years between these two events. They are simultaneous and one immediately follows the other. These is no gap…again!

So, if the above passages taken within the context of Revelation 20 show that Jesus’ return takes place immediately preceding the judgement, what must one do with the “fire” from heaven. Let’s consider the following.

2 Thess 1:7b when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels 8 in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction

2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. 11Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, 12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn!

So it appears that the Second Coming being seen as accompanied by fire was a common New Testament description. So, if we now take what we just discovered and bring it to the passage in question (Rev 20) we can plainly see that the second Coming of Christ takes place at the end of the Millennium, with fire and immediately precedes judgment. This is consistent with the rest of Holy writ and also not only does not fall victim to creating an unwarranted “second humiliation” for Christ, but shows Him as ultimately victorious and glorified!

There is no second humiliation for Christ! He will not be subjugated to the overpowering onslaught of Satan’s army and he will not need to cower in His castle waiting for help from the father. Rather He is the victorious one who returns as His enemies are made His footstool!

Dispensational Distortions - The Second Humiliation of Christ Part 1

The theme of the current discussion of Dispensational Distortions is a concept called the Second Humiliation of Christ. I am indebted to the late Dr. Greg Bahnsen for introducing me to this concept several years ago. It was, in fact, the “nail in the coffin” for my transition from dispensational thought to a more Reformed understanding of eschatology.

A casual understanding of the “timeline” of Dispensational events is all that is needed as a precursor to grasping the concept of how and why the Dispensational model humiliates Christ a second time. It must first, though, be understood that Christ was humiliated the first time when He took on human flesh, dwelt among those that hated Him and withstood the pain and sacrifice of a cross that was not His. His humiliation leads to His great vindication (the Resurrection) and His enthronement (Acts 2, Dan 7). It is at that appointed time in history when the Christ is seated at the right hand of the Ancient of Days and receives power, glory and honor. These are bestowed immediately upon the Christ and are not subject to a future enthronement as we have seen.

This then leads us to the timeline of the Dispensational model and how Christ is humiliated for a second time. Below are the events in the Dispensational timeline order.

• The Rapture of the Church
• The Seven Year Great Tribulation
• The First Resurrection in conjunction with the literal, physical Second Coming of Christ
• The Binding of Satan for 1000 years
• Millennial Kingdom - 1000 literal years - centered in Jerusalem
• Loosening of Satan at the end of the Millennium
• Satan raises up an army and surrounds the city of Jerusalem
• God send fire from Heaven to destroy Satan and his army
• The Great White Throne judgment

The above is such a firmly and commonly help presupposition that to call it into question is a great surprise and outrage. In fact, for those that have gone to sermonaudio.com to listen to the audio of this class may hear a gentlemen question whether I believed the Bible because I challenged the above timeline.

We will do a much deeper study of the timeline in question when we study the concepts of the first and second resurrection, but for now we will work through the above timeline to see how it comports with Scripture. The first few items that make up the timeline are questionable and will receive a deeper treatment as those subjects are brought up later, and do not necessarily impact the question at hand, which is the second humiliation of Christ.

Suffice it so state at this time that there is no one single passage in all of Scripture that teaches a Rapture of the Church followed by a 7 year tribulation…this is admitted to even by leading dispensationalist like Tim LaHaye. It is presupposed and later inferred and placed into the timeline at this point.

Likewise there is no passage that states the Rapture and the physical Second Coming are two separate events separated by any length of time, let alone seven years. It must also be stated here that no where can one argue that the Old Testament saints are resurrected at a different time than the New testament Church. In fact, in a previous post we showed how that simply cannot be the case Biblically. So we are left with the following.

1. What is the Binding of Satan
2. Where is Christ during the Millennium
3. Does Satan lead an attack against the city of Jerusalem
4. What is the fire from heaven

The first two will be discussed in the current posting while the final two will be dealt with in a following blog.

THE BINDING OF SATAN

The Binding of Satan is found in the first four verses of revelation chapter 20.

Rev 20 1 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. 2And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, 3and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were ended. After that he must be released for a little while.

Please note right off exactly what the exclusive nature of the binding is limited to. It is for the express purpose that he may no longer deceive the nations. There is no mention that his binding eliminates his ability to tempt, cause havoc or introduce evil. He simply no longer has the ability to deceive the nations. This is quite evident that from the time of Christ’s first coming, a time in which the Gospel was limited to a nation called Israel, that the gospel is now available to all nations and that the nations are no longer utterly deceived. This binding allows the gospel to flourish and extend beyond the small, physical boundaries of the nation of Israel.

The question then becomes as to the timing of the binding. Though there will be a deeper exposition of this issue as we deal with the concepts surrounding the Millennium, a quick glance at Matthew 12 will be beneficial here.

Matthew 12:22 Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see. 23All the people were astonished and said, “Could this be the Son of David?” 24But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebub, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.” 25Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. 26If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? 27And if I drive out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. 28But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 29“Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first binds up the strong man? Then he can rob his house.

Notice here that Jesus is claiming that one can only rob the strong man’s house once the strong man has been bound! The robbing of the strong man is represented by spread of the influence of his enemy (Christ) by stealing that which belongs to the strong man. And also note what event proves the strong man has been bound…the casting out of demons. This proves that the strong man is bound and that the Kingdom of God had arrived. This is said IMMEDIATELY after Jesus had cast out demons.

So, here you have the arrival of the kingdom, the binding of Satan and the expanse of God’s kingdom at the expense of the strong man. This is a past event and has been shown true throughout history as the gospel has expended to all the nations.

WHERE IS CHRIST?

The assumption is made by the Dispensationalist that Jesus is physically present on earth during this Millennial time. There is nothing in the passage that states Christ is present on earth at all, let alone in some rebuilt temple in Jerusalem physically reigning over some established physical kingdom. It is simply presupposed and assumed. In fact, let us consider the presence of Christ in the passage at it relates contextually to the other parts of Revelation. Here is the Rev 20 passage in question.

Rev 20: 4 Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God…

Where is this? According to Dispensationalist, Christ has already returned to earth, bound Satan and set up His earthly kingdom. So to remain consistent the Dispensationalist must argue that picture described here is somewhere on earth…the temple maybe? But what does the above picture really describe? Haven’t we seen this somewhere before? Let us compare Scripture with Scripture!

Rev 4:4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads.

The throne room according to Revelation is in Heaven. This is the same place described in Revelation 20. Not only that, but Rev 20 also mentions the martyrs. Where are they located?

Rev 6:9 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain the witness they had borne for the word of God and for

Again, we are in heaven. Jesus simply cannot be reigning on earth as the Dispensationalist argue, the passage and the corresponding texts disagree. Jesus remains seated at the right hand of the Ancient of Days (Dan 7) UNTIL His enemies are made His footstool (Psalm 110)

The final two points take much more time than can be allowed for this post. In the next posting we will take a look at the loosening of satan and exactly what city is he attacking, and we will look at what the fire from heaven represents and how it fits into the rest of scripture.

Dispensational Distortions - The Wheat and the Tares

The final of the Kingdom Prophecies we will take the time to discuss is possibly the most famous of them all. It is the story of the “end of the age” and the separating the wheat from the weeds.

Matthew 13:24 He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, [25] but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. [26] So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. [27] And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?’ [28] He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ So the servants said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ [29] But he said, ‘No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. [30] Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.’ “

There are three basic questions that must be asked in regards to this parable/prophesy.

1. What kind of field is it?

2. What is eliminated FIRST?

3. What does this field look like at the end of the harvest/age?

The answer to the first question is quite revealing. This is a wheat field. This is not a wild weed field where the enemy (weeds) grow and over power the poor weakling stalks of wheat in which they hope to be rescued by disappearing. Rather that are admittingly infiltrated by weeds, but never overcome. The field is never left to it’s own devices to become wild, uncultivated and abandoned. There are workers constantly looking out for it and doing the masters bidding. It also NEVER becomes a weed field!

The answer to the second flies right in the face of popular Left Behind theology. Note it is the WEEDS that are bundled up FIRST and then thrown into the fire. The wheat does not simply “disappear” as is popularly taught. Sometime before the end of the age the weeds will be “weeded out!”

At the end of the age His wheat field will be just that…a wheat field. This is done through the work of His harvesters…His people. He sends them out and they do the work. No where do you see the Master showing up with a blow torch and just flattening the field and starting over.

This is a beautiful picture of His Kingdom and how it will operate in time and near the end of time. The wheat field is His and He will not let it come to ruin at the hands of the enemy despite the hand wringing of the prophetic prognosticators.

Dispensational Distortions - Kingdom Prophesies and the Church

We previously saw that the Church and the Kingdom are inter-related and that the Kingdom is not postponed - as Dispensationalist may have it - to some future, literal earthly reign of Christ, but rather found in the resurrection of Christ (Acts 2:29-31). That act may called the institutionary moment of the Kingdom though it’s coming literally is introduced at His birth, and find completion at His consumating coming when His enemies are made His footstool (Psalm 110:1). That leaves us with how to tangle with the mass of “Kingdom prophesies” found throughout the New testament, especially Jesus’ words in the Gospels.

With that in mind I would like to walk through three of the most popular “kingdom” prophesies in the New Testament. Many are found in the book of Matthew and usually begin, “…the Kingdom of Heaven (God) is like…”

The following three are found in Matthew 13 and say quite a bit about the kingdom, it’s presence, it’s growth and it’s reach. These are passages of expectation. These are not wishful thinking, positive confession, liberal theology passages. These are not only “expective” in nature they WILL be fulfilled because they are the words of God spoken by Jesus Christ. To minimalize and redeuce them to “spiritual” application only - as is the want of many amillennialist - does a disservice to the intention and context of the passages.

Matthew 13:31 He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 32 Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches.”

This kingdom is one that starts incredibly small and grows enormous and - please don’t miss this application - usefull! How much smaller could the kingdom be in it’s earthly origination than 12 - actually 11 - despondent, scared and inadequate men. But through the work of the Holy Spirit and the word of God it grew and continues to grow today, despite the naysayers and humanist attacks.

Also important is the idea that the Church/Kingdom has a purpose. Here it is described as birds of the air finding a place to rest and nest. Some in the Dispensational camp have actually tried to argue that the birds in question are actually Satan’s workers that come and disrupt the kingdom. These are pesky intruders and show that the Kingdom/Church is in disarray and littered with the enemy.

Really?

Is that what the passage states? No! Again no! The passage simply states the growth of the kingdom is such that it will attract the birds of the air who are looking for rest and they will be able to perch upon it’s branches. It also shows the relative groth and strength of the Kingdom as it is able to provide for and give rest to those who need it!

This passage is directly followed by another quite similar passage. Where the first deals with the relative size and growth of the Kingdom physically, the second has a picture that deals more with the influence of the Kingdom.

Matthew 13:33 He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough.“

Some, primarily Dispensationalist, have tried to argue that the leaven is evil and that this verse shows that the Kingdom/Church will be filled with evil and hypocrisy throughout it’s lifespan. This is because leaven in the OT is seen as representing evil (though not always). Again a horrible misrepresentation of the intent and context of the passage.

The passage does not state that the Kingdom of heaven has leaven in it…it states that the Kingdom of Heaven IS leaven! The Lord here is using a common metaphor to describe the nature of influence the Church will have throughout history. What does leaven do when it is introduced to dough? It CONSUMES the dough. Every molecule of dough is influenced and reacts to the leaven when it comes in contact with it. The leaven moves in and through the dough and CHANGES the dough and what the bread will look like.

So it is with the Church and the Kingdom of Heaven. Throughout history there may be ebbs and flows of influence seen on society by the Church, but it never loses it’s influence and never stops being leaven. When the Gospel comes in contact with a society, that society will change. This is not a picture of growth like the previous passage, but one of influence and change.

So, the first two passages argue that the Kingdom in history will grow in size and in influence. As stated earlier there are ebbs and flows of both in history, but the Church/Kingdom has been and will be on a positive upward journey. It is foolish to take one snap shot of time and make statement like we hear today of the soon coming collapse of the Church. What would those alive at the time Christians being fed to the lions, dying in the plague, tortured in the Inquisition or persecuted right before the Reformation think about the future of the Kingdom. It would appear bleak. Many proclaim the same today. We are not, I argue, living in a post-Christian era…we are living in a pre-Reformation one!

And remember, the promise given to the Church is a great one. It is also the final one for this blog…

Matthew 16:18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

For all the doomsayer peddling a negative and pessimistic Gospel, with it’s horrific view of the Church I say…even you will not prevail against the Church! This is the single greatest promise regarding the Church. Not only will the Church not succumb to the outside pressures of evil, humanism, postmodernism, etc…the Church will win and those forces will not prevail against the onslught of the Church!

Jesus can promise a growing and influencing Church because He is the head of that Church and has guaranteed it’s victory! The first two promises are assured because the third promise given! Yea, even the gates of hell will not prevail!!!

Dispensational Distortions - Kingdom Distortions

As we continue our journey through this section called “Dispensational Distortions” we now turn our attention to the view of the Kingdom from the Dispensational perspective. There are two primary ways in which the Dispensational model distorts the Biblical understanding of the Kingdom of God.

The first is that Dispensationalism, in it’s constant attempt to artificially force an extended period of time between the 69th and 70th weeks of Daniels 70 week prophecy, pushes the kingdom from a past (initiated) and present (growing or maintaining) reality. The Kingdom according to Left Behind theology was offered at Jesus’ first advent, but as a result of the lack of faith of the jews at that time, was postponed to some future time period known as the Millennium (Rev 20). The Kingdom’s inauguration will be preceded by a seven year tribulation of immense destruction. So, the first concept is that the kingdom has been “postponed.” Read below some quotes from leading dispensationalist…

“…we are assured that there will be a return to the legal kingdom grounds…of that nation [Israel]” - Chafer

“…the present session of Christ is NOT a fulfillment of the covenant and it must be referred to the future” Walvoord

“It was neither possible nor in the program of God for the present age to become the kingdom of God…” Walvoord

“The fulfillment of God’s plan of the Kingdom was postponed until His second advent, though it was offered at the first advent…” Ryrie

The second ties in with the first in that one proof of the postponement of the kingdom (according to Dispensationalist) is that the Kingdom must have a physically present and ruling leader - namely Jesus Christ the King.

Let’s look at how the NT writers viewed the kingdom and whether they believed and taught that it was going to be or had been postponed.

Mark 1:14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.“

Matt 12:28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

Mark 9:1 And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.”

Col 1: 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son

It is clear from those passages quoted above and many more not listed for the sake of brevity that even Jesus Himself believed and taught that the kingdom was initiated at His first coming and was by no means postponed. The Mark passage, which is also found in Matthews gospel, states that not only would the kingdom of God come with POWER, but that there were those standing in the midst of Christ that would not “taste death” before they witnessed this reality.

Paul even makes the case clearer by stating that when we are saved we are immediately (present reality) translated from satan’s kingdom (darkness) to the kingdom of Christ. There is no warrant to push the kingdom into some future expectation. The Church, despite the protestations of leading Left Behind theologians, is the Kingdom of God.

Now, what about the idea, though, that a kingdom must have a physically present and reigning king to be in existence. Where is Jesus’ robe, throne, castle, etc?

Well, before looking at the plethora of Scripture that describes a radically different view of the Kingdom (in fact, one that is diametrically opposed to this worldly version), I would ask even one simpler question. We are told that this “world,” at least as seen in the worldly and unGodly attributes of this planet, is Satan’s kingdom. He is alive and well on planet earth we have been told. He is the “prince” of this world we are reminded by Left Behind gurus. Some, perhaps many, Word of Faith teachers even proclaim this is satan’s world and he is the king of this world and that God was “kicked out” in the garden (Price).

If the above is true, then I would ask…where is satan’s castle? Where is his robe? What geo-political presence provides his country of reign? Simply put…why does Jesus have to be physically present to reign over His kingdom while satan does just well reiging without the same restrictions? Is Satan greater than Jesus in his ability to rule over his kingdom without a physically established presence?

I hope you see the folly in even the demand that Jesus must be physically present to rule over His kingdom. But our answer should not rest on philosophical arguments, but on the word of God. So, what kind of kingdom does the Bible describe and does Jesus need to be physically present to rule over it? Is it a physical Kingdom as described by the Premillennial champions?

Luke 17:20 The Kingdom of God is within you…

Is this a physical kingdom as described by Jesus? Where is the Kingdom found?

John 18:36 My Kingdom is not of this world…

This passage can have a dual meaning that not only is the Kingdom of Christ not centered in the earthly realm and therefore it is not necessary for Him to be present to rule over, but also this refers to from “where” the kingdom eminates. It is not a Kingdom founded or created in this world but rather the authority of this Kingdom comes from without - Heaven. And if it is not of this world one should not demand or even expect it has the appearance of this world in it’s function and existence.

Rom 14:17 The kingdom is not of eating and drinking…

Simply put…it is not physical!

Eph 1:20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Not only does the Apostle Paul here clearly state that Christ is ruling “presently” in this Kingdom and has been doing so since He was raised from the dead, but more importantly it obviously declares that His PRESENT reign takes place in the heavenlies and NOT ON EARTH! This verse also states that EVERYTHING has been subjected to His kingship and that this kingdom resides in HIS CHURCH (vv 22-23)

There is no Biblical warrant for postponing the kingdom. Jesus and the NT writers declared the present reality of the Kingdom and, in fact, describe a radically different kingdom than the one most popular among modern evangelicals adhere to.

Next we will look at three of the most popular Kingdom prophesies and how, with the understanding of the concepts above, they paint a wonderful picture of the kingdom as it relates to His Church!

Dispensational Distortions - Old Testament Salvation

The next result of the literal hermeneutic is closely tied to the previous. The unnatural and unwarranted separation of natural Israel and the Church leads to some distinctions in the timing of different aspects of the OT saint and how the OT person was “saved.” The radical distinction creates a situation where the OT saint is relegated to a second class citizen in heaven, partakes in a different resurrection and even finds salvation in a different way.

Pay close attention to the quotes below and note how radically different the OT Saint is treated by leading Dispensationalist as compared to how the NT Saint is treated.

“The Church will be raised at the time of the rapture, and the Old Testament Saints, including Israel, at the beginning of the millennial reign of Christ.” – Walvoord

“Some people are startled by the thought that the Old Testament saints will not be resurrected until the end of the Tribulation. But keep in mind that the rapture is a promise to the Church, and the Church only.” – David Reagan

“The technical term for the Church is those who are “in Christ.” 1 Thessalonians speaks of those who have died “in Christ” being resurrected at the time of His coming IN THE AIR. The context has ONLY the Church in mind.” – Gary Nystrom

Note that these leading Dispensational spokesmen all claim that ONLY the Church will be resurrected during a pre-tribulation Rapture and that OT saints will have to wait until the seven years have ended to find their resurrection. Their spiritual bodies which will find abode in heaven (presently) will not be able to take part in the Supper of the Lamb as that is exclusively for those who are “in Christ.”

Let us consider for a momment Jesus’ own words…

John 6:52 The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” 53So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. 55For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. 56Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.

1. Speaking to the Jews Jesus demanded that they be in Christ (eat His flesh, drink His blood) a..or they would not inherit eternal life. This is to be expected of the Jews.

2. Jesus also states that everyone is raised at the same time. He who eats of the body of Christ will be raised (Jew or Gentile) on the Last Day. There is no day after the Last Day for anyone else to be resurrected.

There is not enough time here, but even a cursory look through the book of Hebrews demonstrates that even those from the time of Abraham were “in Christ” looking forward to that day. This then leads to how do some Dispensationalist view salvation in the OT. First, let’s here from Ryrie and then compare his view with other leading advocates.

“Dispensationalist vehemently deny that salvation in the Old Testament and salvation in the New Testament are in any way different…they are both of grace…” Ryrie

So Ryrie states that salvation is of grace for both the OT and NT saint. One would infer since they are the same, they would be in Christ. But Ryrie does not say they are of Christ, but of faith. This is different than the Reformed understanding that salvation in both the OT and NT is of Christ…”no man cometh unto the father…”

But other Dispensationalist depart from Ryrie even regarding the understanding of salvation by grace…

“…grace begins with the death and resurrection of Christ…The point of testing is no longer legal obedience as the condition of salvation” Scofield

Scofield here states that even the concept of grace is a NT idea, and that salvation for the OT saint was a result of legal obedience.

“It can be said at once that His (Jesus) dying was not God’s own plan. It was conceived somewhere else and yielded to by God…the plan is given in the Old Testament code…the tabernacle or temple, under prescribed regulations…” Chafer

Chafer goes even further and more than implies that salvation was NEVER intended to be by grace, through Christ, but was ALWAYS meant to be through sacrifices and ordinances found in the law. Chafer puts God in a difficult and unBiblical position when he argues that the concept of salvation by the work of christ was not the plan, but was YIELDED TO by God!

“This is sometimes called the Age of the Church, or the Church period. The characteristic of this age is that salvation is no longer by legal obedience, but by the personal acceptance of the finished work of Jesus Christ, who by his meritorious ministry has procured for us a righteousness of God’.” Evans

Evans agrees with those above stating that salvation was at one time obtained by legal obedience, not even by grace.

“A distinction must be observed here between just men of the Old Testament and those justified according to the New Testament. According to the Old Testament men were just because they were true and faithful in keeping the Mosaic Law. … Men were therefore just because of their own works for God whereas New Testament justification is God’s work for man in answer to faith” Chafer

Chafer simply digs his hole even deeper attempting to argue that through the working out of the law, somehow man could become good enough to obtain salvation through the works of the law. Hebrews again must be dealt with as the author constantly argues the inability of the law to save!

If it is as Ryrie argues originally that the Church and Israel were saved in the same manner then we must consider the following.

1. If they are saved in the same way how can they then be distinct?

2. If they are saved in the same way why would they not share the same resurrection.

3. Why would the Church need to be removed in order to fulfill promises to Israel if their relationship with God were both through Christ?

Hebrews 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar…

Salvation for the OT saint was obtained by grace through faith…just like the NT Church. They simply were looking forward to the promise while the Church embraces the promise received.

So, like the previous post we see there is no Biblical mandate to separate Israel from the Church and, as a result, salvation is obtained by the same manner. NO MAN COMES TO THE FATHER EXCEPT BY ME…!

Dispensational Distortions - The Israel/Church Distinction

We now begin to look at some of the direct results of the “wooden literalism.” Where the previously discussed “Gap Theory” is influenced both by the presuuposed system taken to the passage as well as the difficulty in understanding the message in literal terms, the concept of a vast and distinct difference between natural Israel and the spiritual Church.

As a result of the literal hermeneutic, the nation called Israel, made up of the Chosen Jewish race can only be Israel and the Church, made up of primarily gentile believers in Jesus Christ are utterly and completely distinct. One cannot be replaced with the other, nor can promises or prohecesies related to one by in any way fullfilled, physically or spiritually by the other. It should also be noted one of the reasons for this is that the promises made to Israel were of the physical nature, and it is believed and taught, cannot find their fulfillment in the spiritual actions of the Church or it’s members. If one hasn’t read the previous post regarding the different ways OT prophesies are fulfilled in the NT may want to tak a moment and do so.

One of the most popular complaints levelled at Covenant Theology is what is called “Replacement Theology.” the Dispensationalist argues that it is unBiblical and “racist” to promote the idea that the Church “replaced” Israel. I will respond to this complaint at the end of this post, but some basic groundwork must be laid.

This distinction includes - especially by the traditonal “old school” Dispensationalist - modes and methods of salvation, a different resurrection, a different position in the Millennium and a different position during the time of the Great Supper of the Lamb. They go so far as to make the claim that God has two different plans running simultaneously. One for the Church and one for Israel. Is this to say there are two trees in the plan of God?

If you think I may be overstating the distinction made by Dispensationalist then please consider the following quotes from leading proponents of Dispensationalism.

“Comparing, then, what is said in Scripture concerning Israel and the Church, we find that in origin, calling, promise, worship, principles of conduct, and future destiny that all is contrast.” – Scofield

“The Jewish nation is never to enter the church” – Darby

“The basic premise of Dispensationalism is two purposes of God expressed in the formation of two peoples who maintain their distinction throughout history” – Ryrie

“Of prime importance to the [Dispensational] Premillennial interpretation of Scripture is the distinction provided in the New Testament between God’s purpose for the Church and His purpose for the nation Israel’‘ – Walvoord

“The Church and Israel are two distinct groups“ - Pentecost

Charles Ryrie insist the important of this part of the view cannot be understated when he says…

“If the church is fulfilling Israel’s promises as contained in the new covenant or anywhere in the Scriptures, then [dispensational] Premillennialism is condemned.” – Ryrie

If Ryrie is correct than the job of the critic is to show that the Church IS fulfilling promises made to Israel and that the new covenant does contain a fulfillment of OT promises made to Israel. Not only that, the critic should be able to show that the term Israel and the church are used interchangeably by NT writers and that they are considered the same in the eyes of God. One should also show that Israel’s place with God was a covenental one and that the rejection of Christ puts every Jew in the same place as every gentile - in the place of needed the saving blood of Jesus Christ for ANY hope of redemption. Some of the items needed will not be shown until later posts so the reader must be patient as we walk through these difficult concepts.

The order of the day for this post is to show that promises made to Israel and titles given exclusively to Israel find their fulfillment in the NT Church.

Promise
‘On that day I will raise up The tabernacle of David, which has fallen down, And repair its damages; I will raise up its ruins, And rebuild it as in the days of old; -Amos 9:11

Fulfillment
‘And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written: ‘After this I will return And will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down; I will rebuild its ruins, And I will set it up; So that the rest of mankind may seek the LORD, Even all the Gentiles who are called by My name, Says the LORD who does all these things.’ ‘Known to God from eternity are all His works. -Acts 15:14-18

The promise given to Israel to reestablish the tabernacle of David finds it’s fulfillment in the workings of the early Church

Promise
‘Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah– -Jer 31:31

Fulfillment
Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you. -Luke 22:20

The new covenant promised in Jeremiah are fulfilled in the Lord’s Supper promise given the disciples

Promise
‘And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions. And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days. -Joel 2:28-29

Fulfillment
When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place…’But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days-Acts 2:1,16-17

A promise found in Joel clearly given to Israel finds fulfillment at the birthing of the Church. One Dispensational student of mine actually commented that obviously Peter was mistaken and that he misread the events that were unfolding.

Promise
‘And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.’ -Exodus 19:6

Fulfillment
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; -1 Peter 2:9

A title given exclusively to Israel in Exodus is used by Peter to describe the Church.

Promise
‘My tabernacle also shall be with them; indeed I will be their God, and they shall be My people. -Ezekiel 37:27

Fulfillment
For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: ‘I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.’ -2 Cor 6:16

Paul actually quotes the passage delivered to Israel and applies it to the Gentiles.

Promise
‘Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy. -Lev 19:2

Fulfillment
but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy.’ -1 Peter 1:15-16

Note two things. One, the term congregation in the OT and NT are used interchangeably for Israel and the Church. Two, the command given exclusively to Israel is then given by Peter to the Church. This is significant in that the standard of Holiness - the Law - is said to by Dispensationalist to be the exclsuive domain of natural Israel. Here the command is borrowed and given to the Church.

The examples could continue but this should suffice in showing how the NT writers viewed the Church in relation to Israel. One should also note that even if the Dispensationalist was remotely correct, what does the chosen race of people have to do with the pagan, secular nation residing on the West Bank. God’s word is clear that ONLY if the Jews repent and seek the will of God, and due His will, would the covental promises be in play. The nation Israel has nothing to do with the Biblical one!

Finally, let’s consider the passage in Romans where Paul dealt directly with Israel and the Church.

Romans 11:24 For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree.

Please note the following points found in this passage.

1. THERE IS ONLY ONE TREE!

2. The tree was, covenantally speaking, faithful Israel. God had one tree and with the Church He grafts in new limbs. Though the branches are not natural (not of birth or orgin), they are equal members.

3. If a natural limb is not in covenant, he is broken off. BUT if one of the natural branches (by birth) repents he can be grafted back into the ONE TREE.

There is no separate plan! God has one and only one people. They have always only been one and will continue to only be one! So, there is no new tree that is planted during a tribulation and grows during a Millennium. There is NO REPLACEMENT! That is simply a misnomer. ONLY if one demands a distinction between Israel and the Church would one assume that one replaced the other. Since covenant theology sees consistency in the work of god, there is no replacement, there is always just ONE

Ultimately, it is really not a matter of the Church versus Israel, but those who are His and those that are not. Nationality plays no favorites and Paul plainly states, there is NO LONGER Jew nor Gentile!

Dispensational Distortions - Getting It Wrong

I would like to take a little time out from the current discussion of Dispensationalism’s theological, hermeneutical and doctrinal difficulties to discuss the never ending problem of false predictions.

Why should this be such a big deal?

Though discussed briefly in the postings called “Why Eschatology,” it is important to understand why God thinks about His name. When He presented Himself before Moses in the burning bush He called Himself I Am. This is to show that God needs to appeal to no other authority. there is none higher. His name is sacred and it His name must be taken in vain!

One should cringe every time he hears a televangelist spout the phrase “Thus saith the Lord!” NO ONE should ever take lightly the concept of speaking for the Lord. He never lies! He is never wrong! Why would God have false prophets executed? Because His name is never to be drug through the mud. There is not to ever be a hint that God speaks incorrectly. When the prophet makes the claim of something happening and claims to speak for God (through interpretation) he has taken the Lord’s name in vain. It’s not a matter of, “oops, got that one wrong!”

Dispensationalist are not alone in their false prognostication (the Jehovah’s Witnesses have missed more than a handful of dates) but no group has gone on for so long getting it wrong over and over again with little or no repercussions…the next book tops the best seller’s list again. This is as much an indictment of the lack of Biblical literacy within than Church!

Here are just a handful of false predictions leaders of the Left Behind movement have made just in the last few decades.

· Pat Robertson said the Antichrist was born in 1954

· In 1964 God told Morris Cerullo that the last great move of the Holy Spirit before “the end” was his ministry.

· Charles Taylor predicted the Second Coming on September 6th, 1975

· Jack Van Impe suggested the Great Tribulation would begin in 1976

· Pat Robertson so believed the Second Coming would take place in 1979 that he planned on sending a film crew to Jerusalem to film it!

· Salem Kirban wrote the bestseller, Satan’s Mark, proclaiming the Mark of the Beast (666) was here!

· Southwest Radio Church radio program called Qadhafi the Antichrist

· Noah Hutchings claimed that Pope John Paul was the Beast after he survived an assassination attempt

· Colin Deal, in his book, Christ Return by 1988: 101 Reasons Why, predicted the Rapture in 1988

· Charles Dyer claimed in 1989 that Saddam Hussein’s re-creation of the famed hanging Gardens of Babylon was a sign of the “Rise of Babylon” and of the end.

· Benny Hinn proclaimed that his listeners would not need to buy funeral plots because the Rapture was so near

· Harold Camping, in his book 1994, predicted a Rapture in 1994

· Chuck Missler called Gorbachev Gog in 1995

· John Hagee believed the assassination of Israeli PM Rabin signaled The End!

· The Tabernacle of Praise in Colorado Springs said the end would come in 1995

· Jack van Impe had a video entitled, 1999? Global March to Israel

· Peter Popoff said the return of Christ would come before the year 2000

Now consider the following quotes from leading Left behind theologians and the level of expectation and assuradeness of their words…

· “What you are starting to read probably is my final issue of Bible Prophecy News, for Bible prophecy fulfillments indicate that Jesus Christ our Lord will most likely return for us at the rapture of the Church before the Fall 1992 issue can be printed.” - Charles R. Taylor

“I predict the absolute fullness of man’s operation on planet Earth by the year 2000 A.D.” - Lester Sumrall

· “Only if the Bible is in error am I wrong, and I say that unequivocally. There is no way Biblically that I can be wrong; and I say that to every preacher in town.” - Edgar Whisenant (88 Reasons Why the Rapture will be in 198

· “I believe that the generation of 1948 is the last generation. Since a generation of judgment is forty years and the Tribulation period lasts seven years, I believe the Lord could come back for His Church any time before the Tribulation starts, which would mean any time before 1981. (1948 + 40 - 7 = 1981)…” Chuck Smith – Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa

· …I could be wrong, but its a deep conviction in my heart, and all my plans are predicated upon that belief… Chuck Smith – Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa

· “When Sept 6, 1994 arrives, no one else can become saved, the end has come” Harold Camping

Now consider what happens if one disagrees with even just how Dispensationalist view Israel…

· “In fact, trying to convert Jews is a waste of time. They (already) have a faith structure.’ Everyone else, whether Buddhist or Baha’i, needs to believe in Jesus, but not Jews. Jews already have a covenant with God that has never been replaced by Christianity” John Hagee

· “Is it important to be right on the Israel question? When you consider that being wrong brings you under the curse of God and headed for eternal, everlasting fire with the devil and his angels . . . it’s important! Israel is not a ‘take it or leave it’ subject. It is a life and death matter . . . eternal life!” John Hagee

· Through their generous donations to Wings, The Fellowship’s friends have brought hundreds of thousands of Jews to the Holy Land. By funding this “second exodus” of Jews from oppression to freedom, Fellowship donors are showing their compassion and concern for the Jewish people. Eagles Wings Ministry

· Through John Hagee Ministries, Christians are joining forces with the Jewish people to rescue Jews from all around the world who wish to relocate to Israel. John Hagee Ministries – Exodus II

I do find utterly ironic the concept of sending money to an organization to help Jews immigrate to Israel since the foundational belief of these organizations is that soon nearly 1/2 to 2/3 of those living in Jerusalem will be slaughtered!

Finally let’s look at some quotes from leading Left Behind proponents who seem to sell the most books…

Hal Lindsey

· “The current build-up of Russian ships in the Mediterranean serves as another significant sign of the possible nearness of Armageddon” (The Late Great Planet Earth, Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1970, p. 145-146)

· “When the Russians invade the Middle East with amphibious and mechanized land forces, they will make a ‘blitzkreig’ type of offensive through the area.”

“But world domination — as Ezekiel makes clear — was never in the script for Russia!” (italics in original, Cited in Pate and Haines, p. 13

· “What generation? Obviously, in context, the generation that would see the signs — chief among them the rebirth of Israel. A generation in the Bible is something like forty years. If this is a correct deduction, then within forty years or so of 1948, all these things could take place. Many scholars who have studied Bible prophecy all their lives believe that this is so.” (The Late Great Planet Earth, p. 54)

· “Jesus said “this generation shall not pass, till all these things come to pass.” What generation ? The generation that would see all these signs. We are that generation! I believe you cannot miss it. We’re that generation, and I believe we’re rapidly moving toward the coming of Christ.” (Apocalypse Planet Earth videotape, 1990, HLM)

”I also said that ‘if’ a generation was forty years and ‘if’ the generation of the ‘fig tree’ (Matthew 24:32-34) started with the foundation of the state of Israel, then Jesus ‘might come back by 1988.’ But I put a lot of ifs and maybes in because I knew that no one could be absolutely certain.”

Grant Jefferey

· “Israel could have accepted (Jesus) as Messiah and He would have ushered in the millennial Kingdom. Somehow, Jesus would have been crucified at some later point to fulfill the prophecy and provide salvation of all those who repent of their sins.“ (Apocalypse, p. 33,34)

· “the year A.D. 2000 is a probable termination date for the ‘last days’” (Armageddon, p. 193)

Jack Van Impe

· “By the year 2001, there will be global chaos. (It will) usher in international chaos such as we’ve never seen in our history.. drought, war, malaria, and hunger afflicting entire populations throughout the [African] continent…” (”On the Edge of Eternity”)

· “The number “6” in Roman numerals is made up of the letters, “VI”. The ancient Greek number “6” was taken from the sixth letter of their alphabet, the letter “sigma” which looks like the English letter “S.” Returning to the Babylonian empire and their sexagesimal system of numbers, I considered that the possibility that their letter “A’ equaled 6. Thus, from the three great world empires of history, I found that the composition of the number “666” spells the word VISA (11:59 and Counting, pp.106,107) Jack Van Impe

This is just a small handful of examples. Many resources are available to discover even more. Many of these ideas will be dealt with in great detail later, but for now I just wanted it to be made clear that ideas and words have consequences…God will not be mocked!

Dispensational Distortions - The Gap Theory

One the most interesting and completely exclusive characteristic to Dispensationalism is the concept known as the Gap Theory. Also called the Parenthesis Theory, this characteristic is the lynchpin to the entire Dispensational system.

THE GAP THEORY

The gap theory teaches that the totality of Messianic prophecy can be found in four verses in the 9th chapter of Daniel. These verses describe a span of 490 years and supposedly teaches the introduction and fulfillment of the Messianic Kingdom. The first 483 years ran in perfect succession, but when the jews rejected Jesus, the final seven years were “postponed” until some time in our future - some 2000 plus years since the beginning of the gap. When the church is raptured the “prophetic clock” will continue and the seven final years of the Jewish economy will commence.

In case you think I may be overstating the importance of this characteristic to the Dispensational views…

“All prophecy stopped at the end of the 69th week” Scofield

“[the] interpretation of Daniel 9 is of major importance to pretribulationism” Walvoord

“no other utterance is more crucial” McClain

“[Daniel 9 is] the indispensable chronological key to all New Testament prophecy” Pentecost

“No other portion of Old Testament prophecy is more important to the Dispensational understanding of the future than Daniel’s 70 week prophecy…the entire system rests on this passage…” Ryrie

Notice the emphasis Ryrie gives this passage. The entire system rests on this passage. A passage that is confusing, difficult and never until 100 years or so ago has even been understood the way the dispensationalist teach it.

So just what are the problems?

1. Nothing n the passage allows for a gap of any length, let alone over 2,000 years, to be inserted into the passage

2. No where else in Scripture is a gap of time inserted. There are examples of changes of times and seasons (ie God not destroying Ninevah), but in every instance god tells us about the change.

3. What does this do to the trustworthiness of the word of God?

4. It calls God’s sovereignty into question? Wouldn’t he know if it was going to last more than 490 years?

5. What about the 70 year captivity? In the passage Daniel references the soon coming end of the 70 year captivity. He is praying for God’s direction as the time was closing. In fact, the 70 years of 7’s is the basis for the 490 years. What if after 75 years Daniel and the Israelites are still being held in captivity? Would not Daniel question God’s veracity? Would you believe that God would respond with…”Hey Daniel…I just put a “gap” in between year 69 and 70. When you are released that will be the 70th year!” That would obviously be foolishness and so is placing an unknown, indertminable gap in the Daniel passage.

The only reason the gap is inserted is because it is necassary for the dispensational timeline to work. It is not exegetically valid and should be abondoned for the sake of the truth.

REALLY LONG TOES

Daniel 2:31″You saw, O king, and behold, a great image. This image, mighty and of exceeding brightness, stood before you, and its appearance was frightening. 32The head of this image was of fine gold, its chest and arms of silver, its middle and thighs of bronze, 33its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay.”

The above passage deals with the four great kingdoms leading up to the Roman Empire. Because of the necessity to place a gap of 2,000 plus years, there is also a need for the toes of the final kingdom to be stretched over the same two millennia. This is what Gary DeMar called Silly Putty Exegesis, stretching the passage to make it fit your system rather than making your system fit the Scriptures!

Next we will look at the ever important Church/Israel distinction.